Emails Reveal US Embassy Involvement in RFK Jr's Controversial Samoa Visit
Freshly disclosed correspondence has cast serious doubt on Robert F Kennedy Jr's repeated assertions that his 2019 trip to Samoa was unrelated to vaccine concerns. The documents, obtained through open records litigation, provide an unprecedented internal perspective on how the controversial visit was orchestrated.
Contradictory Accounts Emerge From Official Channels
During his Senate confirmation hearings for the role of Health Secretary in January 2025, Kennedy steadfastly maintained that his journey to the Pacific island nation had "nothing to do with vaccines." However, contemporaneous emails from United Nations and United States embassy personnel present a markedly different narrative.
These communications indicate that embassy staff actively facilitated Kennedy's connections with Samoan government officials. Benjamin Harding, then a US embassy employee in Apia, appears to have played a significant role in coordinating the visit, despite Kennedy's subsequent denials of vaccine-related motivations.
Senators Express Grave Concerns Over Testimony Discrepancies
The revelation has prompted strong reactions from US legislators who previously questioned Kennedy about the Samoa trip. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, stated unequivocally that "Kennedy's anti-vaccine agenda is directly responsible for the deaths of innocent children."
Wyden further emphasised the seriousness of the situation, noting that "lying to Congress about his role in the deadly measles outbreak in Samoa only underscores the danger he now poses to families across America." His spokesperson highlighted that providing false statements to Congress constitutes a criminal offence.
Timeline of Events Surrounding the Controversial Visit
The Samoa trip occurred during a particularly vulnerable period for the nation's public health. Following the tragic deaths of two infants from improperly prepared measles vaccines in July 2018, the Samoan government suspended its vaccination programme for ten months.
During this vaccination hiatus, Kennedy's organisation, Children's Health Defense, initiated contact with Samoan officials. Email records show the group's then-president, Lyn Redwood, reaching out to local activist Edwin Tamasese in January 2019 with a request to connect Kennedy with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Internal Concerns Within Diplomatic Circles
UNICEF representative Sheldon Yett alerted embassy staff to Kennedy's impending visit in May 2019, noting that "the Prime Minister has invited Robert Kennedy and his team to come to Samoa to investigate the safety of the vaccine." Yett specifically identified Harding's involvement in facilitating the trip.
This prompted senior embassy official Antone Greubel to inform then-Ambassador Scott Brown about the situation, stating clearly that "the real reason Kennedy is coming is to raise awareness about vaccinations" from his sceptical perspective. Greubel instructed Harding to cease involvement, though portions of this communication remain redacted.
Aftermath and Ongoing Public Health Implications
Kennedy's visit occurred in June 2019, shortly before a devastating measles outbreak swept through Samoa, resulting in thousands of infections and 83 fatalities, predominantly among children under five. Samoan authorities have since suggested that Kennedy's presence bolstered anti-vaccine activists during this critical period.
The controversy emerges as measles outbreaks resurge across multiple American states, threatening to reverse decades of progress in disease elimination. Current figures indicate over 875 infections in South Carolina alone, highlighting the ongoing relevance of vaccination policy debates.
Kennedy's Evolving Explanations
Following the measles outbreak, Kennedy offered varying explanations for his Samoa visit. In 2021, he claimed the purpose was to discuss implementing a medical informatics system to monitor drug safety. He suggested Samoan officials were interested in studying health outcomes during the vaccination pause.
However, during his Senate testimony, Kennedy reverted to his original position, insisting repeatedly that vaccines played no part in his decision to travel. The newly released emails directly challenge this version of events, showing clear vaccine-related motivations documented by multiple officials at the time.
Personnel Movements and Current Positions
Notably, several individuals involved in the Samoa visit have since assumed new roles. Lyn Redwood, who initiated contact with Samoan officials on behalf of Children's Health Defense, now holds a position within the Department of Health and Human Services, reportedly working on vaccine safety matters.
Benjamin Harding departed from the US embassy in July 2020 but remains in Samoa according to professional networking profiles. The Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment on questions regarding the email disclosures.
These revelations arrive at a pivotal moment in American public health policy, as Kennedy continues to wield significant influence over federal immunisation guidance while measles outbreaks challenge the nation's disease elimination status.
